In January, a button decided to detach from my coat and I whipped out my mom’s treasured sewing kit – so treasured that it’s barely been opened or touched since it was bought – just to sew it back. Once upon a time, my grandmother taught me how to do the basics. She was insistent that a proper lady should be able to hem a pillowcase or reattach a shirt button when needed. So with little skill but I managed to fix it up.

That’s when the light hit and I immediately found a class, which was supposed to start the next day. Of course it’s hardly likely that you’d get into a school 23 hours before it starts but I did! There was exactly one spot left. Thanks Universe!

And so our relationship with the ÚjBudai Varrótanfolyammal began. And we’ve been great together every since. The layout is simple, 4 weeks, 3 hours a week on one chosen day. A class starts when there are 3 students of the same level and they don’t overcrowd it, so that anybody has time to ask all questions.

The best part of it is that they don’t throw you into the deep waters. The machine is introduced, the needle, the fabrics, and then you are sat down to practice on a piece of paper… which believe me is a lot harder than it sounds. By the end of the first class I accepted that I have absolutely no talent for the whole thing. Now, 5 weeks later I’m the proud owner of a mitten, an apron and a little knick knack bag. The latter was done under 3 hours, which is amazing given that the first two took a total of 9, with very careful planning and baby steps.

I’d warn you of starting it. Only do so if you are prepared that you’ll be acting like a junkie, waiting for the next fix for the next couple of weeks. Before this I couldn’t wait for each Friday, to go out in the evening. Now, I wait for Wednesday and only pass the time by looking at sewing tips and looking up templates for dresses. Not only does this give you a skill which is actually useful (I already fixed about 4 pieces of clothing since starting) but it’s entertaining, creative and even relaxing. I’m now a proud owner of a sewing machine thanks to Andi, the owner of Style in the wardrobe blog and I can’t wait for my scissors to arrive. As soon as they are here I’ll get to even more little home projects. All for having an analog hobby in a digital world. (Yes, I have a thing for Harley Quinn…)